After careful consideration, the Leadership Centre of Central Alberta Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cease operations of The Centre as of December 31, 2018. The Board believes that the Centre has fulfilled its mandate to offer quality leadership training for Central Alberta, and there is great pride in the Centre's legacy.

The Centre's work began in 2000 at a time when founding members and community leaders identified gaps in leadership training and succession planning in Central Alberta. The Leadership Networks curriculum was created, initially offering one program per year and expanding to three levels of programming, as well as hosting the annual Leadership Conference. (If you are interested in staying informed about potential Leadership Conference news in the future, please sign up here.)

Over the past 18 years, the Centre has had the pleasure of working with over 325 graduates of the Leadership Networks programs as part of their individual leadership journeys. Participants of the Leadership Networks 201 program have championed over 46 community projects, which in turn have helped to shape our community, including the creation of Centrefest, bringing the Citizenship Ceremony back to Red Deer, and establishing the Board Leadership Conference, to name a few. We wish to acknowledge the Centre's Alumni as incredible leaders in our community who have contributed greatly to the Centre's success. It has been phenomenal to witness the personal growth and workplace accomplishments of our participants during and after their time in our programs.

For the past 8 ½ years, Linda Wilson has excelled in her role as the Executive Director for the Centre. The passion, enthusiasm, positivity, and devotion she has brought to the organization have been second to none. The Board of Directors recognizes her as a one-of-a-kind leader. We know she carries the values of the Centre in her heart, and the vision of the Centre will live on through her community work.

We wish to thank everyone who has supported the Centre over the years: our founders, sponsors, program facilitators, learning day hosts, Amazing Race host agencies, donors, volunteers, program participants, event attendees, past and present members of the Board, and more. It has been an honor to be involved with each one of you.